Digital heroine Bianka: My passion for programming
My name is Bianka, and I work as a developer at valantic. I’m originally from Croatia, but I moved to Germany two years ago. My enthusiasm for IT began in school and led me to my computer science studies. I gained my first programming experience in a C# workshop, which also led to my first job. In the process, I discovered my passion for programming. I particularly like the results that I can achieve with programming. I enjoy creating something and seeing how it works.
After a while, I switched to consulting. There I appreciate the diversity of technology and continuous learning. My path finally led me to Germany and to valantic, where I have been supporting exciting customer projects for two years now.
My superpower: I always find a way!
I always find a way out. No matter what the situation or problem, I always find a solution, even if it’s not always visible at first. For me, the urge to solve problems and the desire to work through puzzles are important characteristics for programmers. This skill benefits me not only in my job, but also in my free time, where I like to play board games and D&D. I also relax by reading fantasy and science fiction books. Recently, my Boston Terrier has also been an important part of my home office leisure activities.
In my daily work, the opportunity to constantly learn new things is what drives me. Because the projects I work on are so varied, I can always try out new technologies and expand my horizons. My experience in the in-house and consulting environments has shown me that greater flexibility and adaptability are required in consulting. You have to constantly adapt to new teams and customers. Personally, I really like that.
"If you trust you can, you're already halfway there."
In my career as a developer, I’ve noticed that the cliché of male-dominated software development is partly true. Women, for example, are often forced into front-end roles because they are said to have a good eye for design. I’ve also worked on teams where women have been outnumbered, but on my current team, about a third of us are women. Gender distribution has no direct impact on my work; I focus on performing tasks that give me pleasure, regardless of my colleagues’ gender.
As a digital hero, my slogan is: "If you trust you can, you're already halfway there." I would also like to convey this self-confidence to other women in IT. I advise them not to be too self-critical and not to be deterred by fears. It’s crucial to face challenges and believe in yourself to succeed in this industry.